Girard vs desertkart?

[mxdubbs]

I am looking to build a full suspension 1 seater,(I abandon my last project because the frame was well gay).

I have the instructions for the desert kart,but I don't have a tube bender,i just got my check today and I am ordering a mig welder tonight,

but my question is,would it be better to order the Girard frame kit not welded yet or make my own tube bender and just build the desertkart?

Any other advice would help me alot!!!!

Thanks...

[nutz4sand]

The Girard have a lot of users out there BUT its the frame and YOU need to design the suspension.

The Desert Kart plans show you how to do it all. On that note there ARE some easy improvements you can do to the Desert Karts drivetrain and front and rear suspension.

[mxdubbs]

Ya,I can engineer the front and rear suspension with common knowledge from atvs.

I plan to use it in the dirt mostly but seeing how i live 30mins from the coral pink sand dunes it will probably go there two.I do plan to push it to the limits...with that said,what would be the best,most cost effective and easiest.

[Bugpac]

Everyone thinks they can design the suspension, lot more work than it seems, You ask, How do I know, Been there done that...

[mxdubbs]

Well I have designed suspension for other vehicles,And with my dads 40+ years of welding,engineering and he is well in the know of diesel and hydraulic mechanics I think i will be ok...
kinda sounds like I am applying for a job..

I think i have decided on the garard frame,If anybody has any pic of there 1 seat g-max post them i would love to see them and also anybody know if garard sails a knock-down or non welded version of the g-maxx or if i could request it.

thanks

[nutz4sand]

This may sound silly but you have seen Girard site right? Last I knew they were all non weded. Just tacked. Then broke loose and shipped. You align the tack welds and true up the frame then weld it up.

Of course in saying that I have not seem the G-maxx. Going by his other frames I knew he sold. I will go take a peek at his site and see whats new maybe. Been a bit since I was there.

[mxdubbs]

Ya I couldn't comprehend what exactly he was saying,but ya that would help me a lot.i am going to pick up a welder on Friday,and hopefully with my next check i will have enough money for the g-max...

[Gene]

If I did not plan to buy a bender or have access to one I would buy a Girard frame and then figure out the suspension.

You could do that by reading up and experimenting. Until recently there was a very cool on-line calculator to model suspension geometry. It's gone. Here is the old link: Namesco. A World Apart

Maybe it is out there. Crap! It was a great tool.

You could buy several sets of plans and maybe learn from those. Do not use the equal length A-arm ideas presented on Girard's site unless you want crappy steering.

[mxdubbs]

I will probable make my own A-arms,what would be better duel A-arms or trailing arms for the rear setup..

ya I looked for a suspension geometry calculator,but the only thing i could find was Forza motor sport game stuff...

<<<Anybody have any pics or links of complete g-maxx rails>>>

[Gene]

Single seaters are limited somewhat for trailing arms - but Rowycoracing has them on his ST2 so it is completely doable.